The Cost Of Signing The Declaration Of Independence

“The price others paid for our freedom is enormous. This recap by David Barton of Declaration Signer John Hart is a great reminder that we should do our part in fighting for freedom whether or not we get to see the results.” – Rick

May 11th marks over 230 years since the death of John Hart, signer of the Declaration from New Jersey and one of the many noted Christians among the Founding Fathers. (WallBuilders recently posted some of our legal documents signed by John Hart. Significantly, many colonial oaths were not merely taken on the Bible, but specifically on “the Holy Evangelists of Almighty God” [1] — that is on the Bible, including specifically its Christian part. This legal oath is evident on these newly posted documents.)

Born somewhere in the span from 1711 to 1715, [2] not much is known of his family, except that his father helped raise a volunteer army, named “The Jersey Blues,” to assist in the French and Indian War. [3]John became a farmer and had 13 children, [4] and his reputation as “Honest John Hart” [5] earned him the trust of those around him. As such, he helped select New Jersey’s delegates to the early Stamp Act Congress that convened in New York in 1765. [6]

John Hart was himself elected to the Continental Congress [7] where, somewhere near the age of 60, he voted for the Declaration of Independence with “unusual zeal.” [8] He fully understood the personal cost entailed by affixing his name to the Declaration of Independence, and quickly became a target of the British for signing that document. [9] Chased from his dying wife’s bedside [10] and hunted by the enemy, he wandered about the countryside to avoid discovery by the British, rarely sleeping in the same place two nights in a row. [11] In fact, he even had to sleep in the “resting place of a large dog” [12] to avoid detection by a nearby British patrol. Several times, he was forced to flee as fast as he could to “save his neck” [13] as it had been “marked for vengeance” by the British. [14]

About Rick Green

Rick is one of the most dynamic and inspirational speakers in America today. He equips, empowers and challenges about 100,000 people a year in live audiences and millions more through radio and television.

His moving presentations often include his children, as they help to passionately explain the bedrock principles which led to America’s place as the most successful nation in the history of the world.

About Rick Green

Rick is one of the most dynamic and inspirational speakers in America today. He equips, empowers and challenges about 100,000 people a year in live audiences and millions more through radio and television.
His moving presentations often include his children, as they help to passionately explain the bedrock principles which led to America’s place as the most successful nation in the history of the world.
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